Development of a Supportive Parenting App to Improve Parent and Infant Outcomes in the Perinatal Period: Development
Shefaly Shorey1, Thiam Chye Tan2, 3
1Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Insights
This study details the development of the Supportive Parenting App (SPA), a mobile health intervention for new parents. Key challenges and lessons learned are highlighted for future perinatal app development.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Mobile health interventions
- Child development
Background:
- Parenthood transition poses psychological risks for parents.
- Perinatal mental health issues can negatively impact child development.
- Mobile health apps offer a promising avenue for perinatal support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development of the Supportive Parenting App (SPA).
- To identify challenges and lessons learned during SPA development.
- To inform future technology-based perinatal educational interventions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an information systems research framework (relevance, design, rigor cycles).
- Incorporated user-centered design, focus groups, and interviews.
- Applied social cognitive theory and attachment theory to app features.
Main Results:
- Developed a mobile app with knowledge content, videos, forums, and expert advice.
- Iterative testing identified user and technical issues (e.g., compatibility, notifications).
- Information systems framework focused on technical aspects, not interpersonal challenges.
Conclusions:
- SPA development faced challenges including communication, resources, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Adaptability, team cohesion, and budgeting are critical for app development.
- This study provides insights for future perinatal mobile health intervention design.
Background:
The transition to parenthood can be challenging, and parents are vulnerable to psychological disorders during the perinatal period. This may have adverse long-term consequences on a child's development. Given the rise in technology and parents' preferences for mobile health apps, a supportive mobile health intervention is optimal. However, there is a lack of a theoretical framework and technology-based perinatal educational intervention for couples with healthy infants.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to describe the Supportive Parenting App (SPA) development procedure and highlight the challenges and lessons learned.
Methods:
The SPA development procedure was guided by the information systems research framework, which emphasizes a nonlinear, iterative, and user-centered process involving 3 research cycles-the relevance cycle, design cycle, and rigor cycle. Treatment fidelity was ensured, and team cohesiveness was maintained using strategies from the Tuckman model of team development.
Results:
In the relevance cycle, end-user requirements were identified through focus groups and interviews. In the rigor cycle, the user engagement pyramid and well-established theories (social cognitive theory proposed by Bandura and attachment theory proposed by Bowlby) were used to inform and justify the features of the artifact. In the design cycle, the admin portal was developed using Microsoft Visual Studio 2017, whereas the SPA, which ran on both iOS and Android, was developed using hybrid development tools. The SPA featured knowledge-based content, informational videos and audio clips, a discussion forum, chat groups, and a frequently asked questions and expert advice section. The intervention underwent iterative testing by a small group of new parents and research team members. Qualitative feedback was obtained for further app enhancements before official implementation. Testing revealed user and technological issues, such as web browser and app incompatibility, a lack of notifications for both administrators and users, and limited search engine capability.
Conclusions:
The information systems research framework documented the technical details of the SPA but did not take into consideration the interpersonal and real-life challenges. Ineffective communication between the health care research team and the app developers, limited resources, and the COVID-19 pandemic were the main challenges faced during content development. Quick adaptability, team cohesion, and hindsight budgeting are crucial for intervention development. Although the effectiveness of the SPA in improving parental and infant outcomes is currently unknown, this detailed intervention development study highlights the key aspects that need to be considered for future app development.
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